Ithaca's 'bridge to nowhere' still needs $15,000 inspection

ITHACA, N.Y. -- A pedestrian bridge built over a central New York highway 12 years ago has never been used, but it still needs to be inspected and taxpayers will pick up the tab.

The Ithaca Journal reports that Common Council members approved a resolution to spend $15,000 to inspecting the bridge over Route 13.

The span was built over the four-lane highway in 2001 so that trails on each side of the road could be connected. But the sections of trail haven't been built, so each end of the bridge is sealed off by chain-link fences.

Ithaca's engineering director says the bridge remains in good shape but still needs to be inspected because it's a piece of city-owned infrastructure.